artist • maker • writer

Posts filed in: Assemblage

“Orbras” is a tiny, eight-legged engineer–an orb weaver who builds spiral, wheel-shaped webs often found in gardens, fields and forests. Orbras and his compatriots are social, largely non-aggressive, and seldom bite. In 2009, over 107 million orb weaver spiders were found living in a phenomenally huge web that covered four acres of a Baltimore wastewater plant. Cold assembly: 19th century brass doorknob, vintage jewelry, antique button, wool roving, wire. Dimensions: 9″x9″x3″ $175Read more

Bolo is a red palm weevil or “snout beetle.” This weevil is considered a major pest in palm plantations, but the larval grub is considered a delicacy in Southeast Asian countries. The grubs have been described as creamy tasting when raw, and like bacon or meat when cooked. Cold Assembly: Recycled brass shell casing, antique buttons, eyeglass lenses, automotive fasteners, recycled jewelry, wool roving, wire. Dimensions: 6″x3.5″x5″ $175Read more

What could be more fun than a swirling cloud of large, hairy insects hanging about in your living space? An eclectic mix of spiders, mosquitoes, beetles and flies—a budding entomologist’s dream! Each insect in this swarm has its own fascinating story, described in the slides below. This piece sold, but new swarms are coming up in 2019! Stay tuned. Cold assembly: found objects, recycled jewelry, wire, fasteners, chandelier crystals, vintage cabinet knobs, acetate, paint. Dimensions: 40″ x 30″ x 30′ $1600Read more

I was thinking about how cool it might be to wear a spider. So I fashioned an ever so lovely pendant from a vintage button, found jewelry, wire and wool. If you’re attending the opening of the Oliver Art Center’s “Birds, Bugs and Beasts” group show on 28 July, you’ll see it in an up close and personal way. Leave your arachnophobia at the door. Read more

The Five-horned Beetle is one of the most elegant of rhinoceros beetles. They are also known as Hercules beetles, unicorn beetles, or horn beetles. There are over 300 described species of these beetles, best known for their bizarre shapes and large size. Cold assembly: vintage wood sock darner, antique drawer pulls, vintage eyeglass temples, antique oil can and wrought iron stake fragment, antique wood and brass vase, feathers, leather buttons, recycled jewelry. Dimensions: 12″x6″x17″ $425Read more

The Cuban cockroach is found in the Caribbean and southern U.S. It lives outdoors, so is not considered a pest. In fact it is a popular pet roach due to its relatively pleasant green color, and because it is not an invasive indoor species. It is also used as food for other pets. Virgil is formidably tall–just over four feet–but manages to charm folks with his dry wit and delicate sensibilities. Cold assembly: Hand-carved blue spruce, antique buttons, vintage kitchen whisk,Read more

Brunneis is based on the large brown mantis, a species native to Australia. They are beneficial garden insects who prey on pests. Adults can jump about a meter and attack large prey, such as small birds, frogs, and lizards. While a praying mantis will bite if provoked, the bite is not venomous. Cold assembly: antique shoe form and wire whisk, vintage silver butter knives, vintage jewelry, machine parts, wire, wool. Dimensions: 15″x8″x18″ $425Read more

Rufus represents >1000 species with nearly worldwide distribution. Because of their coloration and behavior, they are one of the most easily identifiable of dragonflies. They perch often on shrubs, or flowers, especially near lakes or ponds, and habitually return to the same perch. Cold assembly: Antique wooden spindle, vintage buttons, wire, acetate, wool. Dimensions: 6″x14″x12″ $225 S O L DRead more